Christos FC

Christos FC reaches Third Round of US Open Cup but why are they asking you for money?

May 20, 2017 by Ian Foster

UPDATED (5/23): Christos FC met its $7,500 fundraising goal in just three days

After pulling off a surprising upset in the Second Round of the 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, Christos FC, an amateur club from Baltimore, are heading to Round 3. Now, they are asking for help to get there.

A 1-0 win over the USL’s Richmond Kickers earned Christos a Third Round date with the Premier Development League’s Chicago FC United. As a club self-described as a “true” amateur team where not a single player or coach is paid, money can be a little hard to come by at times. As a result, a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the cost to make the more than 700-mile trip to Chicago.

However, the US Open Cup isn’t necessarily the sole motivator for this call. According to Jody Haislip, founder of Christos FC, those expenses are also going toward travel to the Hank Steinbrecher Cup, an annual competition that serves as sort of a “cup winners cup” for amateur soccer. Each year, it features the champion of the Premier Development League (PDL), National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), the USASA National Amateur Cup, and the previous Hank Steinbrecher Cup winner. Christos qualified as the winner of last year’s Amateur Cup.

“I know that one of the guys created the page and it looks like it’s just for the Open Cup game,” Haislip told TheCup.us. “But it’s also to help out with the Hank Steinbrecher Cup that we leave for the following day after Chicago.”

This year, the Hank Steinbrecher Cup is being hosted by the defending NPSL champion AFC Cleveland.

Christos FC is no stranger to such expenses, after having competed in and won both the Werner Fricker Cup and the Amateur Cup last year. But while those are outings likely planned weeks and months in advance, Christos have only two weeks to figure out how to take their team from Baltimore to Chicago for the US Open Cup.

Christos FC (yellow) played a strong defensive game in a 1-0 upset road win over the Richmond Kickers (USL) in the Second Round of the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: Jessica Stone Hendricks Photography

“Of course US Soccer is providing us money for the Open Cup but we have to front the expenses to then be reimbursed,” Haislip said.

But still, even without the other amateur national competition, Christos and other amateur teams are often put in a somewhat difficult travel situation in these early rounds. The first few rounds are usually played on consecutive weeks, making any lengthy travel very expensive with less than a week’s notice. The U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) does reimburse some of the travel costs, but fronting the money isn’t always easy for a small club.

The USSF reimburses up to $10-11,000 to teams (depending on the round) for travel expenses. Which is often enough to cover the expenses, but it depends on how far the trip is. Having to book flights for 18 players, plus coaches or any other staff, in less than two week’s notice is going to be expensive. Then a team has to pay for transportation once they arrive at their destination, you have meals to pay for and hotels to stay in. All of that adds up.

But regardless of how much the bill ends up being for the entire trip, the biggest challenge for amateur teams like Christos FC is that they have to pay for everything up front, and according to multiple teams who have competed in the last couple of years, the reimbursement funds usually don’t arrive until after the tournament is over.

Christos FC has a busy itinerary ahead of them at the end of the month. The plan is for the team to fly out of Baltimore on Tuesday, May 30 to Chicago. They will arrive in Chicago on Tuesday evening. The game will take place on Wednesday evening. Thursday morning they fly back to Baltimore. Then, they will drive about six hours to Cleveland where they will play a game on Friday and a game on Saturday.

For now, they’re well on their way to Chicago. Thanks to a swell of support on social media, which was sparked, in large part, to a generous donation from New York Red Bulls midfielder Sacha Kljestan.

.@SachaKljestan doing his part of “giving back and growing the game”. @ChristosFC #USOpenCup pic.twitter.com/hFUlwKRfL4

— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) May 19, 2017

At the time of this being published, the campaign had raised more than $6,800 of the $7,500 goal.

2017 US Open Cup Round 1: Pete Caringi of Christos FC spaces out hat trick to earn TheCup.us Player of the Round

May 16, 2017 by Clement Williams

On the surface, a 3-0 scoreline featuring goals from a former MLS draftee doesn’t seem particularly unusual, particularly in a match against a fourth tier NPSL side. However, in the case of Pete Caringi III’s emphatic hat trick for Maryland amateur side Christos FC, such a result represents a rather eye-catching development.

The former University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) standout’s conspicuous three-goal performance lifted the Open Cup debutants to a convincing road victory over a solid NPSL outfit, Fredericksburg FC, in what was the sole hat trick of the round and only the 52nd in the Modern Era. What was especially rare about the hat trick was that Caringi becomes just the second player from a USASA regional team to score three in a game (Argient Duka, Icon FC vs. Brooklyn Italians of NPSL in 2013 First Round). In a much more obscure bit of history, Caringi’s three goals had the biggest gap of time in between each goal of any hat trick in the Modern Era.

For his performance, Caringi was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round for the First Round. The award is voted on by TheCup.us staff and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters.

Pete Caringi is a dangerous in the air for Christos FC. Photo: Christos FC

Opening the score early and lifting amateur Christos to an early lead, Caringi’s fourth minute goal set in motion an auspicious match for the Baltimore-based side. After settling in and holding the determined Virginians scoreless for the remainder of the first half, Christos would bag an additional goal in the early part of the second. It was none other than the big man, Caringi, who added to his account with a convincing header off a gorgeous set-piece delivery from Mamadou Kansaye. Finally, with Christos having staved off fierce charges from a tenacious Fredericksburg side, Caringi completed his hat trick in the 87th minute with a clinical chip from just outside the 18.

In this stellar performance, hat trick hero demonstrated an incredible pedigree vastly exceeding that of a typical Sunday league 24-year old. His relatively brief but eventful career began with renowned youth soccer club Baltimore Bays. Thereafter, he continued his Baltimore playing career with UMBC, playing under his father, Coach Pete Caringi II. As a Retriever, Caringi III not only picked up All-American honors, but was also a semifinalist for the NCAA’s prestigious Hermann Trophy, the first in school history.

Pete Caringi of Christos FC gets his head on a ball against Junior Lone Star FC. Photo: Christos FC

Outside of a phenomenal college career, Caringi plied his trade for the PDL’s Baltimore Bohemians between 2012 and 2013 before a selection by Montreal Impact in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft. However, Caringi was left unsigned by the Impact and eventually signed for the Oklahoma City Energy. After 11 appearances and a single goal, he returned to his old stomping grounds to serve as an assistant coach for his alma mater, continuing his playing career all the while under the tutelage of his former youth club coaches with Christos FC.

Beyond his clinical ability in front of the goal, Caringi plays a critical role in the Christos team.

“Petey comes back into the mix a bit and will do all the dirty work,” said general manager and club founder Jody Haislip. “He wins most, if not all, of the 50-50 balls and that creates offense for us when he does play a bit further back in the attack.”

Clearly in both of his goal scoring prowess and general offensive contributions, Caringi plays an incredibly important role for his team, and demonstrated as much as an essential component in leading the Maryland boys to a first round upset.

In Round 1, Caringi demonstrated the prolific attacking ability that won him numerous honors throughout his collegiate career and carried him to the pros. If he can replicate that same quality next round against USL staples Richmond Kickers, Caringi’s longtime Baltimore playing career may be prolonged but more likely with a pro team looking for a two-way forward.

2017 US Open Cup Round 1: Peter Caringi’s hat trick delivers Christos FC its first US Open Cup victory

May 10, 2017 by Greg Wolfe

Christo FC had an early goal by Peter Caringi and the striker added two more in a 3-0 victory over Fredericksburg FC on their own turf to open the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

“I feel like we were prepared,” Caringi said. “We don’t practice as much as some of these other pro teams but we have guys who have played together so we’ve got that chemistry. When we’re together I feel like we can beat any team no matter who it is.”

Both teams were fast moving at the start of the game, with Christo not missing a step in their first contest of the tournament. An early mistake by Fredericksburg’s defense in the third minute proved costly, as Caringi took advantage and found the net while Daniel Baxter recorded an assist.

Fredericksburg seemingly settled down at this point of the match, controlling a quick-striking Christo offense. Baxter was a huge part of that offense and was all over the field, contributing with great speed to set up scoring opportunities while slipping through defenders throughout the game.

Fredericksburg got their first shot on goal in the ninth minute, as the offense started to pull together. Christo’s defense held strong, and forced Fredericksburg to go scoreless for the entirety of the first half.

Fredericksburg had many chances to knock in goals, as Juanra Farjado had multiple impressive passes down the field to put his team in a good position to score. One of those passes seemingly went 60 yards to perfectly settle in the opponent’s corner and give Fredericksburg a chance. Much like what would transpire for the rest of the game however, Fredericksburg just couldn’t cash in.

Christos started the second half the same way they had started the first. Fredericksburg seemed to have a lot of momentum and some new fire in the offense, but Christo silenced that when Caringi connected with his second goal. Mamadou Kansaye had an assist on the goal with a picture perfect pass. The pass went right in front of Fredericksburg’s goal, set up so that Caringi had a perfect angle for a header into the net.

Down two goals, Fredericksburg faced some adversity as the offense slowed down, and shots on goal for both teams became a rarity as ball possession was traded back and forth.

In the 65th minute, Fredericksburg made all three of its substitutions. Some fresh faces helped spark a struggling offense and it showed in the 68th minute. Fredericksburg managed three shots on goal all within three minutes, desperately trying to find their way back into the game. Fredericksburg would come up empty all three times, despite multiple great looks that were foiled by good defense and some outstanding plays by Christo’s goalkeeper.

In the 87th minute, Christo pulled away as Caringi was alone with the net, and completed his hat trick to put the game away.

That chemistry will be a major key to the game next Wednesday, when Christo will face the Richmond Kickers who are an affiliate of D.C. United. Christo will be in enemy territory again, as the game is being played at City Stadium in Richmond.

2017 Meet the Underdogs: After 20 years, amateur power Christos FC makes US Open Cup debut

May 4, 2017 by Clement Williams

Christos FC: Maryland's 2017 Rowland Cup champions — Christos FC: Maryland’s 2017 Rowland Cup champions

It’s been a long time coming but finally Christos FC, the reigning Werner Fricker Open Cup and USASA Amateur Cup champions, have qualified for the US Open Cup proper.

Established in 1997, Christos FC have waited 20 years for a chance at the Lamar Hunt trophy. After first and second qualifying round triumphs over Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks and West Chester United as well as a third qualifying round cancellation, the Baltimore squad has reached the promised land of American amateur soccer.

“Qualifying was a huge accomplishment and definitely something we had been striving for in recent years,” said founder and general manager Jody Haislip. “To have the opportunity to play against professional teams and play in such a prestigious cup is everything that we have been working towards.”

If the US Open Cup represents the zenith of amateur soccer opportunity, then surely Christos FC had already scaled the majority of American soccer’s metaphorical mountain. Beyond the Open Cup, Christos have experienced significant success throughout virtually every other area of American amateur soccer. Last year the Latrobe Park outfit won both the Region 1 Amateur Cup and the USASA Amateur Cup. In the last five years the Marylanders have won five national titles spanning several national competitions. Yet, once again despite this previous success, this season represents their first foray into US soccer’s most prestigious competition available to amateur clubs.

If success for Christos FC’s on the national level is customary then state success is expected, assumed, and essentially assured. Despite a strong Maryland soccer scene, Christos have long dominated, winning back-to-back state cup trebles. This treble included Maryland Rowland Cup (open), the Maryland Stewart Cup (amateur), and the Maryland Over-30 Cup 2016-2017 titles. Surely, the Maryland Major League side will hope this cup-based dominance carries over into yet another cup.

Christos FC: Maryland's 2017 Stewart Cup champions — Christos FC: Maryland’s 2017 Stewart Cup champions

“Winning the Open and Amateur Cups last year was at the time the biggest achievement/success for the club but yes to play in the Lamar Hunt Cup will certainly top that,” Haslip said. “To win a few games would be icing on the cake.”

The squad’s leading scorer the past few years is Petey Caringi III, a University of Maryland, Baltimore County All American player from 2013 who was drafted by MLS side Montreal Impact in 2014 and later signed by Oklahoma City Energy. Winger Levi Houapeu, also a UMBC alumni, won the Division I scoring title in 2009 and was drafted by the Philadelphia Union in 2011. Houapeu had a serious knee injury which cut his first season short. He also played with the Rochester Rhinos and Baltimore Blast.

Goalkeeper Phil Saunders, also a UMBC alumni, played professionally in Iceland for Bl Bolungarvik in Iceland’s First Division in 2014 while Central Midfielder Kaoru Forbess is a former University of Maryland player who helped the Terrapins win the 2008 National Championship. Forbess is also a former U-18 US National Team player and played professionally for the Baltimore Blast.

Haislip said that veteran centerback Josh Taylor is a Loyola University graduate and is in the perfect spot in the back to lead the defense.

“The odds are definitely against us,” Haislip said. “We are an amateur team with guys who have full-time jobs and — sad to say this but — we don’t train or practice. guys do things individually but nothing as a group.

He feels that if Christos plays its best game and believes, it could make a run.

“I’m sure we will be underestimated a little and I hope with that our desire and hunger to win is more than the other teams,” he said. “This group of guys have only lost one game in almost two years. I’d like to think the guys hate to lose more than they love to win. I’m all about this club winning because I can’t stand losing. In everything we do as a club we want to finish first. That means we hopefully have a lot of LHUSOC games ahead of us.”

Having previously been perilously close to qualification, only now have Christos achieved that important step towards the notoriety that Brooklyn Italians, Chicago A.A.C, Harpos FC and others previously garnered through the competition. Having started the season 20-0-0 before falling in the USASA National Amateur Cup quarterfinals to Rochester Riverdogz, Christos will be looking for a strong showing in the competition, not just to demonstrate that they belong but also to try and match the accomplishments of last year’s strong season. With their spot in the Hank Steinbrecher Cup this summer also secured, a scalp or two in the Open Cup would not only turn a few heads but also let Christos forget the disappointment of their Amateur Cup result and finish the year with their own heads held high.

With a First Round fixture against NPSL side Fredericksburg FC and a top ten USL side in attendance in Richmond waiting in the second round, the boys from the Charm City may be the latest amateur darlings to embody the magic of the cup and stage a cup run for the history books.

2017 US Open Cup qualifying review: A New York-New Jersey thriller highlights opening weekend of Round 2

October 19, 2016 by Josh Hakala

FC Motown celebrates the game-winning goal scored in second half of stoppage time in the club's 3-2 win over Lansdowne Bhoys in the 2017 US Open Cup qualifying. Photo: James O'Rourke | FC Motown — FC Motown celebrates the game-winning goal scored in second half of stoppage time in the club’s 3-2 win over Lansdowne Bhoys in the 2017 US Open Cup qualifying. Photo: James O’Rourke | FC Motown

The second round of the 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup qualifying tournament kicked off with four games. Three teams that qualified for last year’s US Open Cup (West Chester United, Aromas Cafe FC, Lansdowne Bhoys FC) were eliminated by teams who are seeking their first-ever tournament berth (Christos FC, Tartan Devils Oak Avalon, FC Motown). The fourth game featured recent tournament regular GPS Omens who knocked off Newtown Pride FC (CT) as they aiming to qualify for the third time in four years.

The biggest game of the weekend was between New Jersey’s FC Motown and New York’s Lansdowne Bhoys. The Bhoys tied the game up in second half stoppage time but FC Motown answered that with the game-winner in the final minute.

There are still 14 more games to be played in Round 2, but they will take place the following weekend (Oct. 22-23). Check out the full schedule, and past results, here.

Below is a brief recap of each game:

Christos FC kept the Maryland flag flying in the 2017 US Open Cup qualifying tournament with a narrow 1-0 win over one of last year’s darlings, West Chester United. In the end, it was a trio of former University of Maryland Baltimore County players who eliminated the Philadelphia-area club. Pete Caringi III headed home a pass from Geaton Caltabiano in the 87th minute to break the scoreless tie and Phil Saunders earned a clean sheet in goal. Christos FC won last year’s USASA Amateur Cup and has won three Over-30 national championships in club history. They have been a regular entry in US Open Cup qualifying, but have yet to punch their ticket to the big dance. Now they are moving on to the third round.

Keith Caldwell assisted on two of GPS Omens’ three goals as the Massachusetts-based club cruised into the third round of the tournament with a 3-1 win over Newtown Pride FC. With the win, GPS takes another step toward qualifying for the US Open Cup for the third time in four years. FULL MATCH REPORT »

Last year, the Tartan Devils Oak Avalon traveled to Charlottesville, Va. and lost 3-1 to Aromas Cafe FC. It was the second year in a row that they had lost their opening round qualifier by the score of 3-1 (They lost to the Aegean Hawks the year before). This year’s rematch took place in Pittsburgh and it was the Devils who advanced 3-1. It was the first qualifying win in club history and they did it on the strength of two goals by former Pittsburgh Riverhounds player Travis MacKenzie. FULL MATCH REPORT »

FC Motown celebrates their 3-2 win over Lansdowne Bhoys in the 2017 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: James O'Rourke | FC Motown. — FC Motown celebrates their 3-2 win over Lansdowne Bhoys in the 2017 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: James O’Rourke | FC Motown.

New York vs. New Jersey is always a heated rivalry, especially in the sports world. This made Sunday’s battle between FC Motown (Morristown, NJ) and Lansdowne Bhoys FC (New York City) even more intriguing because it featured two of the best amateur clubs from those respective states. The game lived up to the hype with FC Motown, who are making their US Open Cup qualifying debut, eliminating the Bhoys 3-2 on a game-winning goal scored in the final minute.

FC Motown got off to a hot start with a pair of goals in the opening 30 minutes by Dritan Sela and Max Garcia. The Bhoys pulled one back in the 36th minute and could have equalized five minutes later. They earned a penalty kick, but FC Motown’s Andrew Tartara made a full-extension save to help Motown take a one-goal lead into the halftime break.

After a more physical second half, Lansdowne Bhoys earned another penalty kick in stoppage time. This time they converted and most in attendance thought the goal would send the game into extra time. Everyone except Motown FC. They pushed forward and earned a free kick just outside the Bhoys’ penalty area. There, Martin Lukaschik delivered a cross into the box where it was headed into the back of the net by Andres Berriel to give the home team the dramatic 3-2 win.

MORE: Interview with FC Motown head coach Sacir Hot after the win (from OnceAMetro.com)

2015 US Open Cup qualifying: Charm City, Bays join Maryland Open Cup semifinals

February 4, 2014 by Richard Kirtland

The state of Maryland’s Open Cup semifinals, or Rowland Cup, as it’s known locally, are complete.

All four teams that advanced have won the tournament title in the last five years. Two-time champion Maryland Bays (2011-12), ASA Charm City FC (2010 co-champion), last year’s winner Screaming Eagles and another two-time champ Christos FC (2002, 2009) round out the final four, set to be played Feb. 23.

MARYLAND BAYS 2:1 SPARTANS FC

A goalkeeper’s job can be defined by spectacular saves or glaring misses, but when it came down to it, Phil Saunders came up with the former.

Saunders saved a penalty kick late in the game and effectively took the drive out off a strong Spartans squad and Chris Ports would tuck away a last-second penalty to give the Maryland Bays a 2-1 win over the Spartans.

After playing counterattacking soccer for much of the afternoon, the Spartans would push forward and work the ball into the box. Maryland tried to absorb the pressure but eventually conceded a penalty to seemingly swing the momentum in the Spartans’ favor with the score tied at 1-1 at the 75 minute mark.

But Saunders made himself big and saved the ensuing kick, pumping up the Maryland squad and urging his teammates forward to go for the win.

The push forward would eventually work for the Bays as Jon Ports dribbled into the box before being fouled and drawing a red card on a Spartan player.

Ports’ brother, Chris Ports, would step up to the spot and convert the penalty to give Maryland a one-goal advantage and the whistle would blow a few minutes later to seal the win.

The Bays opened the scoring on one of the three dangerous early breakaways that stretched the Spartans’ defense. Jon Ports led the breakaway and tucked the ball into the net five minutes into the game and it seemed smooth sailing heading into the second half.

But the Spartans exploded out of the gate in the second half, using strong counterattacking play to put one past Saunders and tie up the game at 1-1, but Maryland would keep pushing for another goal and leave the pitch with the win.

The game was extremely taxing for the Bays as three Maryland players left the game with game-ending injuries that left coach Bungarin with only his backup goalkeeper as a sub.

The Bays, last year’s state runner-up, will move on to play fellow two-time champion Christos FC in the final four. Christos narrowly edged Washington Elite FC 2-1 in their quarterfinal match earlier in the day.

ASA CHARM CITY FC 3:1 ACADEMY FC

The road to the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is long and winding for most teams, and in the Rowland Cup quarterfinal match between ASA Charm City FC and Academy FC, one team’s journey was coming to an end. With a stellar cohesive team performance, Charm City was able to move on to the semifinals with a powerful 3-1 victory.

The game started without much fanfare, with both teams trading blows for the first 30 minutes of the game. In the 30th minute, Charm City’s Dan Lader scored on an attempted cross that ended up in the top corner. Lader raced down the right flank and launched a venomous curling cross to the back post that had enough spin to be tucked inside the frame.

That goal proved to be the only mark on the scoreline from the first half, and Charm City went into halftime up 1-0.

Academy conceded a penalty kick shortly after halftime when one of their defenders took down Charm City’s Pat Delaney inside the area. John Cole stepped up to calmly slot home the attempt to the goalkeeper’s right side. Academy was not done fighting, however, drawing back a goal in the 50th minute to make the score 2-1.

Unfortunately, the effort proved to not be enough, as City forward Cubay Wilson broke free and chipped the ball over the Academy keeper’s head to give Charm City a firm 3-1 lead which they would not relinquish.

Charm City is back in the final four where they will face the Screaming Eagles who cruised past Baltimore Kickers Bayern 8-1. Last year, the Eagles won their first-ever Maryland Open Cup title, denying the Maryland Bays a three-peat.

2014 Maryland Open Cup qualifying results
(Rowland Cup)

First Round (Jan. 19)
Baltimore Kickers Bayern 3:1 Malawi FC
Washington Elite FC 6:4 (AET) Pipeline SC

Quarterfinals (Feb. 2)
ASA Charm City FC 3:1 Academy FC
Screaming Eagles 8:1 Baltimore Kickers Bayern
Christos FC 2:1 Washington Elite FC
Maryland Bays 2:1 Spartans FC

Semifinals (Feb. 23)
Christos FC vs. Maryland Bays
Screaming Eagles vs. ASA Charm City FC

Final (March 9)
Montgomery Blair High School

Past Maryland Open Cup champions
2013: Screaming Eagles
2012: Maryland Bays
2011: Maryland Bays
2010: Charm City FC
2009: Christos FC
2008: Baltimore Colts FC
2007: AC United (Note: Christos FC & Allied SC merged)
2006: Allied SC*
2005: Baltimore Colts FC*
2004: Allied SC*
2003: Brilla Baltimore
2002: Christos FC
2001: DiPasquale Baltimore Colts FC
2000: Jerry D’s*
1999: Jerry D’s
1998: High Topps

*qualified for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

2013 US Open Cup qualifying: Pipeline SC’s 4-goal comeback kicks off Maryland tournament

February 11, 2013 by Josh Hakala

After Mother Nature delayed the start of Maryland’s US Open Cup qualifying tournament, the Rowland Cup, the competition got under way with three teams moving one step closer to the USASA Region I Finals.

ASA Charm City FC and the Screaming Eagles both moved on with shutout victories, but the highlight, without question, was the comeback victory by Pipeline SC. In the 55th minute of their match against Spartan FC, they fell behind 4-1, but managed to battle back with four goals in the final 35 minutes to punch their ticket to the semifinals, 5-4.

After playing the Maryland Bays in the state championship game the last two years, Charm City will get a third crack at the two-time defending champs in the quarterfinals on Sunday, Feb. 17. That same day Mundo FC will face the Washington Elite to wrap up the round of eight.

PIPELINE SC 5:4 SPARTAN FC
by Richard Kirtland

It was a match for the ages at Heurich Park as Pipeline SC completed a thrilling 5-4 comeback win over fellow first-time entry Spartan SC in the quarterfinal match of the 2013 Rowland Cup.

It was a hard-fought game from the opening whistle, with Pipeline player GR Cannon opening the scoring in the eighth minute off of a long ball out of the back from Donald Gibson. However, it was Spartan FC who would respond next, equalizing on a narrow-angle shot from the side of the box just seven minutes later. In the 22nd minute, Spartan would score on a far-post header to take the lead, and they would add to their advantage just before halftime after pouncing on an uncleared corner kick to go into the halftime break up 3-1.

Pipeline came out after the half and controlled momentum, but Spartan still managed to add a fourth in the 55th minute. After that goal, Zack Bowman took over the match for Pipeline, tallying a hat-trick over the next twenty minutes to level the score at 4-4 in the 75th. Bowman almost had a fourth goal on the day in the 84th minute, but was tangled up with the Spartan center back in the 18 yard box. A penalty was called in favor of Pipeline, and GR Cannon stepped up to blast it home from the spot. Six minutes later, the referee blew his whistle, and Pipeline were proclaimed the day’s victors.

“It was one of the greatest comebacks I’ve ever been a part of as a player or coach,” said Pipeline manager Bill George. “It shows a lot of the character of our team.”

This is the first year for this team to compete under the banner of the Pipeline Soccer Club. The current team was formed in July 2012 as a merger between the Baltimore Juniors and Pipeline Soccer Club. While the team may be relatively young in age, they are laden with experience, boasting a bevy of players who have competed at the collegiate or professional level. Among those are Sean Rush, the club president/forward who played professionally for Crystal Palace Baltimore, Real Maryland, and Ribeirao in the Portuguese Second Division. Midfielder GR Cannon played for Baltimore Bohemians and had a brief stint with DC United back in 2004. This club also boasts club vice-president former US international and Major League Soccer player Santino Quaranta, who played most notably at DC United and garnered 15 caps for the US National Team. Despite his retirement, he may be suiting up in a Pipeline jersey before the end of the qualifying campaign.

ASA CHARM CITY FC 5:0 LOONEY’S PUB NORTH
by Matt Johnston

After two weeks of weather delays, the opening game of the Rowland Cup was played under clear sunny skies and seasonable temperatures. Charm City FC, the tournament’s runner-up the last two years, faced newcomer Looney’s Pub North FC for a spot in the quarterfinal round.

Charm City boasts a large core group of players who played for Christos FC’s Over -30 team that won the USASA National Over-30 Cup last year, and the cohesiveness and experience with each other was evident early on in the game. Looney’s on the other hand, is an amalgamation of players that includes the old Baltimore Kickers team. Indeed, some players were being introduced to each other just prior to the game.

At kickoff, the teams struggled to shake off the winter cobwebs. Charm City took control of the game early, moving the ball well from side to side, but often leaving players who were able to break through the Looney’s back line stranded without assistance. Such abandonment of play often led to poor shots or blunted attacks, as Looney’s recovered to often put ten men behind the ball. The Charm City midfield duo of Dan Lader, a former Crystal Palace Baltimore player, and Noah Merl, a former Seattle Sounders player from the club’s A-League days, easily controlled the middle of the pitch. Looney’s midfield, missing a few key starters, was unable to protect the back line, and early on, it was clear that a rout was in the offering.

After a number of poorly organized attacks, Lader opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a 25-yard screamer from the right channel. Barely had the dust settled when Tony Tamanini bagged Charm City’s second goal just two minutes later with a shot that appeared to take a late deflection and wrong footed the Looney’s keeper.

The teams platooned on a series of substitutes taking advantage of the college-style substitution rule of permitting an unlimited number of subs in a single half, but the substituted players permitted to return in the second half. Charm City came with a deep bench, able to put five substitutes into the game and Looney’s putting three into the match. However, it was the Charm City substitutes that made the most immediate impact.

Barely five minutes after entering the match, Wijy Jones latched on to a sly through ball from Merl and ran 20 yards unopposed to slot Charm City’s third goal inside the left post. At that point, the rout was clearly on. The final goal of the first half came when Kenny Suter powered home a shot from the top of the penalty area.

Following halftime, Charm City FC remained firmly in control of the match, but were obviously working on tactical thinking, moving the ball from side to side to get the fullbacks and wingers more involved in the play. Though much of Charm City’s first half played moved through the right side, the second half saw the left wing and left fullback getting much more involved in the game. During this period, Merl’s passing ability truly shown through, dictating the flow of the game from left to right and keeping the ball spread wide. Looney’s however, was not completely giving up, but balls played long out of the back left the Looney’s two or sometimes three strikers all alone with no support behind them. Shots were either well over the bar, far wide of the post or simply not taken as the Charm City defenders recovered and smothered attacks.

Moving the ball, largely from the right flank and into attack, Charm City was successful putting the ball into dangerous areas, but the final finishing touch was often lacking. Missed shots were the order of the day through the 75th minute.

After platooning substitutes again by both teams, Charm City continued to apply mild pressure, content to play the ball from the left flank into the center and back again. After several more crosses lead to naught, in the 76th minute, Charm City was able to play the ball quickly using a series of short 10-15 yard passes from the left wing, across the top of the box and toward the right side, where Kenny Suter one-timed a 12 yard shot for the game’s final goal.

The final 10 minutes were largely a display of the frustration of some of the Looney’s players, leading to a silly yellow card challenge by a Looney’s player and with right winger Ernest Jackson actually leaving the pitch in disgust and his team with only ten players for the final eight minutes.

Charm City’s 5-0 win sets up a quarterfinal match against the Maryland Bays, the two-time defending state champion, and a team that Charm City has lost to in each of those two years.

When asked about his team’s chances next week, Charm City’s Pat Crawford said, “You never know, there is a certain amount of luck to this. We lost the league championship last year to a team that we had beaten easily during the season.”

With a roster of 24 players, including, as Crawford pointed out, “many players over 30 and even a couple over 40,” Charm City’s depth may be their strength through the qualifying tournament.

SCREAMING EAGLES 2:0 CHRISTOS FC

The Screaming Eagles, making their first appearance in US Open Cup qualifying, made sure they kept the flag of the Maryland International Soccer League (MISL) flying as they defeated Christos FC 2-0 on Sunday.

The Eagles, who are the lone MISL team remaining after Spartan FC were eliminated, got all of their offense from Jonathan Orlando who scored both goals. Orlando was a star player at the University of the District of Columbia almost a decade ago.

The turning point in the match came in the 34th minute when Ben Kujawa of Christos tackled a Screaming Eagles player from behind in the penalty area and was shown a straight red card. Christos would have to play the rest of the game shorthanded and the Eagles took a 1-0 lead on Orlando’s penalty kick that followed.

The Eagles will join Pipeline FC in the semifinals with the draw for the final four to take place at a later date.

2013 Maryland Open Cup qualifying
(Rowland Cup)

Charm City FC 5:0 Looney’s Pub North
Western Regional Park – Cooksville, Md.

Scoring Summary
Charm City: Dan Lader – 24th min.
Charm City: Tony Tamanini – 26th min.
Charm City: Wijy Jones – 31st min.
Charm City: Kenny Suter – 42nd min.
Charm City: Kenny Suter – 76th min.

Discipline Summary
Charm City: Wijy Jones (Yellow – 36th min.)
Looney’s Pub: Unidentified Player (Yellow – 81st min.)

Pipeline SC 5:4 Spartan FC
Heurich Park – Hyattsville, Md.

Scoring Summary
Pipeline: GR Cannon (Darren Gibson) – 8th min.
Spartan: Unknown – 15th min.
Spartan: Unknown – 22nd min.
Spartan: Unknown – Before halftime
Spartan: Unknown – 55th min.
Pipeline: Zack Bowman (Sean Rush) – Time?
Pipeline: Zack Bowman (Aaron Velky) – Time?
Pipeline: Zack Bowman (GR Cannon) – 75th min.
Pipeline: GR Cannon (PK) – 84th min.

Lineups
Pipeline: Rob Hollasch (GK), Donald Gibson (Ade Parks – 32′), Phil Greatwich, Geoff Bowman, Eric Mullins, Joe Clancy (CJ Okoko – 28′ & Donald Gibson – 87′), GR Cannon, Gus Teren, Aaron Velky (Andrew Shoenfeld – 28′), Zack Bowman, Sean Rush
Spartan: N/A

2013 Maryland Open Cup qualifying
(Rowland Cup)

First Round (Feb. 10)
ASA Charm City FC 5:0 Looney’s Pub North

Quarterfinals (Feb. 10/17)
Pipeline SC 5:4 Spartan SC (Feb. 10)
Screaming Eagles 2:0 Christos FC (Feb. 10)
Charm City FC vs. Maryland Bays – Feb. 17 – 11 a.m. (Western Regional No. 5)
Mundo SC vs. Washington Elite FC – Feb. 17 – 1 p.m. (Western Regional No. 5)

Semifinals (Feb. 24)
Site TBD

Final (Mar. 3)
Howard High School

Past Maryland Open Cup champions
2012: Maryland Bays
2011: Maryland Bays
2010: Charm City FC
2009: Christos FC
2008: Baltimore Colts FC
2007: AC United (Note: Christos FC & Allied SC merged)
2006: Allied SC*
2005: Baltimore Colts FC*
2004: Allied SC*
2003: Brilla Baltimore
2002: Christos FC
2001: DiPasquale Baltimore Colts FC
2000: Jerry D’s*
1999: Jerry D’s
1998: High Topps

*qualified for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

2012 US Open Cup qualifying: Charm City, Maryland Bays advance to USASA Maryland final rematch

February 22, 2012 by Steven Bayley

An experienced Charm City squad was a 3-1 winner over a strong but young Baltimore Juniors team on Sunday paving the way for their entrance into the US Open Cup Maryland state final March 4. On the other side of the bracket the defending champion Maryland Bays blanked Christos FC, 2-0, in the second match of the semifinal doubleheader at Western Regional Park in Woodbine despite using a field player in goal for the overtime affair.

The championship pairing in two weeks’ time will be a rematch of the 2011 final between Charm City and the Maryland Bays, a pair of clubs that have been to the past two Region I tournaments, respectively, as representatives for the state.

Charm City capped a hard fought first 45 against Baltimore Juniors when Scott Zakroski delivered a picturesque volley into the upper corner off a Lou Brunetti cross in first half stoppage time to give Charm City the momentum going into the half.

The game, however, got chippy after the break, including Ben Pardew being taken down in the penalty area. Baltimore Juniors’ Dan Martinnsen was ejected for the foul as it was a denial of a clear goal scoring opportunity, but Charm Cmarity missed the kick from the spot when Baltimore Juniors keeper Tom Durkin tipped the shot wide.

Not to be deterred, Charm City kept their foot on the gas and came right back down the field. Wiji Jones delivered a perfect cross, his third assist in two games, and Tommy Appel-Schumacher headed it in for the 2-0 advantage on 62 minutes.

Baltimore got one back in the 80th minute when Andrew Stoenfeld hammered in a free kick from distance.

A chance at equalizing was dashed though for Baltimore when Wiji Jones, showing a penchant for game sealers, tapped home his second late goal in as many weeks. It was the result of a strong individual effort from Luke Pardew beating his defender down the end line and going hard in the box before finding Jones for the tap in for a 3-1 win, giving Charm City an aggregate score of 12-2 over the opposition through two rounds of play having won 9-1 the week before.

While the first match was clinched for certainty in the late stages, the second contest went the distance as the Bays and Christos played to a scoreless stalemate for 90 minutes. The Bays would advance through to the final with a pair of strikes in the final three minutes of overtime.

The deadlock ended in the 117th minute via an Andrew Gillis goal, deep in the second overtime assisted by Will Beckman.

The scoring was capped off by a Jon Ports empty netter as the Christos goal was open after the whole team had pushed up in search of an equalizer in the waning seconds.

Christos had their chances in the second half, but failed to capitalize while the Bays displayed the form that delivered them the 2011 State Open Cup title. Making the victory all the more impressive for the Bays was that they did it without an established goalkeeper. Matt Beale played in goal for the Bays, a change from his usual role as a defensive outside midfielder. According to coach Bryan Bugarin, regular keeper Phil Latham is expected to be back in goal for the final.

Bugarin used to play for Christos himself before the Bays were formed in 2009 as a result of a reunion of a group of talented post-collegiate players who rose together through the youth ranks.

“The players’ comfort with each other shows on the field.” said Bugarin. It is certainly reflected in the clubs all-time record of 69-7-6.

The final is a rematch of last year’s championship clash, a game that went 5-1 in favor of the Bays courtesy of four Marco Mangione goals. The Bays will be without Mangione this time around as he signed with GD Tourizense of the Segunda Divisao (Portuguese third division) in January.

It is the third consecutive year in which Charm City has reached the final, though in 2010 the state skipped the contest and sent both finalists directly onto the Region I tournament without crowning a singular champion.

Charm City player/coach Pat Crawford is looking forward to the challenge. “The Bays won the league last fall with a 14-0-2 record, they are well coached, are always technically sound, and I’m sure they will be looking to get back at us after we beat them 3-0 in the fall,” he said of the opposition.

The championship game will be held on March 4 at the same field where the rest of the games have been held: Western Regional Park (Field #5) in Woodbine.

Maryland USASA Open Cup Semifinals
Western Regional Park, – Woodbine, MD
Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012

Charm City 3:1 Baltimore Juniors
CC: Scott Zakroski (Lou Brunetti) 45
CC: Tommy Appel-Schumacher (Wiji Jones) 62
BJ: Andrew Stoenfeld 80
CC: Wiji Jones (Luke Pardew) 89

Maryland Bays 2:0 (AET) Christos FC
MB: Andrew Gillis (Will Beckman) 117
MB: Jon Ports 120

2012 US Open Cup qualifying: USASA Maryland Qualifying down to four with Christos FC, Charm City wins

February 17, 2012 by Steven Bayley

Christos FC and Charm City emerged victorious in the first round of the Maryland state tournament in 2012 US Open Cup qualifying action. Christos moves on to play Maryland Bays in the semifinals while Charm City will take on Baltimore Juniors FC. The semis will take place at Western Regional Park, Field #5 on Sunday February 19.

Christos and the Bays will be kicking things off at 11 a.m. with the Charm City contest against Baltimore Juniors following immediately after at approximately 1 p.m. The state championship match will be held two weeks later, March 4, at the same location at 1 p.m.

Christos FC defeated Baltimore Kickers 3-1 in the opening round this past Sunday amid tough conditions and a frozen pitch with temperatures below freezing. With winds gusting at 25 miles per hour, it was a rough going in the first half. Christos, however, carried the run of play throughout and were rewarded for their efforts via a goal from Benny Kujawa.

Ryan Sears knotted the game at 1-1 when he connected for Baltimore.

In the second half Christos made their superior quality felt and cashed in on chances from Glenn Leitch and Daniel Ankrah to take the 3-1 win. Christos moves on to face 2011 Maryland US Open Cup champion Maryland Bays.

On the other side of the bracket, Charm City manhandled a thoroughly outclassed and inexperienced Juniors United FC side, making their USASA Open Cup debut. The match finished 9-1, even with Charm City making six substitutions at the half.

Open Cup competition proved to be too big a step up in quality from the Cosmopolitan League for Junior United, and credit to Charm City for handling themselves with class throughout.

Charm City opened the scoring on the eight-minute mark with Noah Merl slotting home a goal from Scott Zakroski. The tone was set. After Pat Crawford connected in the 14th and Lou Burnetti in the 32nd, Tarik Walker slammed a penalty kick home from the spot to head to the break up 4-0.

Josh Robinson and Ben Delisle each tallied twice for Charm City in the second half and Wiji Jones got in on the action in the 81st minute as well.

Juniors United’s lone tally was a penalty. Charm City will take on Baltimore Juniors FC in the second game of the semifinals this Sunday.

Maryland USASA Open Cup First Round

Western Regional Park, – Woodbine, MD

Christos FC 3:1 Baltimore Kickers

Christos: Benny Kujawa
Baltimore: Ryan Sears
Christos: Glenn Leitch
Christos: Daniel Ankrah

Charm City 9:1 Juniors United FC

Charm City: Noah Merl (Scott Zakroski) 8
Charm City: Pat Crawford (Mike Svhela) 14
Charm City: Lou Burnetti (Noah Merl) 32
Charm City: Tarik Walker penalty 45
Charm City: Ben Delisle (Wiji Jones) 66
Charm City: Josh Robinson (Wiji Jones) 67
Charm City: Ben Delisle (Josh Robinson) 73
Charm City: Wiji Jones (Todd Clingan) 81
Juniors United: Josh Robinson penalty 89

Maryland USASA Open Cup Semifinals
Sunday, February 19
Western Regional Park, – Woodbine, MD

Christos FC vs. Maryland Bays – 11 a.m.
Baltimore Juniors FC vs. Charm City FC – 1 p.m.

2011 US Open Cup qualifying: Maryland Bays advance to state final, Charm City FC ends Inter AFC’s run

March 7, 2011 by Josh Hakala

Two more teams have advanced in Maryland’s 2011 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. One has already reached the championship game, while Inter AFC, due to weather delays, just finished its first match of the competition. The Maryland Bays are waiting in the championship game after defeating Christos FC, 2-1, on Sunday, February 27. That same night, Inter AFC won a strange barnburner wbith the Magicmen, 7-3, to move on to the quarterfinals. However, Inter’s run was short-lived as Charm City FC knocked them out, 6-0, to advance to the semifinals.

The Bays will await the winner of Charm City FC and the Baltimore Kickers (Mar. 13) in the title game on Mar. 20.

INTER AFC 7:3 MAGICMEN (FIRST ROUND) – Feb. 27
The 6 p.m. game started out with all the ingredients for a disaster as Inter AFC and Magicmen both started the game shorthanded. Inter began with eight players and Magicmen was without their starting goalkeeper, leaving them with only 10 because additional players were also late getting to the field. Magicmen, with the two-man advantage, scored a pair of goals by Chad Meusel (5th minute) and Powell Cuchiella (15th minute) in the opening 15 minutes. The calvary arrived for both sides as Inter forwards Brian and Mike Walter, midfielder George Phillips and Magicmen goalkeeper Ben Snyder eventually arrived. All were rushed onto the field to bring the match up to full strength.

The arrival of the three missing players for Inter turned the game on its head, and Brian Walter was the catalyst. Walter made an immediate impact by taking a shot in the 18th minute that fooled the newly-inserted Snyder to cut the lead in half. Ten minutes later Walter would help level the match, assisting on a goal by Saheed Lawal. He then dished out Lawal’s go-ahead goal three minutes after that. Walter would put Inter up 4-2 at the 35 minute mark with an unassisted goal, giving him two goals and two assists in less than 20 minutes of work as his club took that lead into the halftime break.

Brian Walter’s brother, Mike, got into the act just after halftime, making it 5-2 on an assist by Lawal in the 49th minute. In the 65th, Lawal would complete his hat trick on an assist by Brian Walter to put the game out of reach at 6-2.

However, Magicmen would pull one back in the 80th minute courtesy of Andre Henciak. Brian Walter would answer back with his third goal of the game five minutes later on an assist by Lawal.

Brian Walter and Saheed Lawal carried the game with Walter finishing with three goals and three assists, while Lawal had three goals and two assists.

Magicmen coach Bryan Cartwright said after the game, “We had taken them very lightly thinking it would be 2 or 3 to nil in our favor the way the game started out for us.”

Magicmen Lineup (4-3-2): Chris Quigley (GK), Raymond Sturm (CB), Bernie Cruey (CB), Justin McGrath (LB), Mike Devine (RB), Chad Meusel (CM), Michael Alessi (RM), Andrew Henciak (LM), Powell Cucciella (LF), Eric Belcher (RF)

Inter AFC Lineup (Incomplete): Brian Walter, Saheed Lawal, Mike Walter, George Phillips

Scoring Summary:
Magicmen – 5th minute – Chad Meusel (Unassisted)
Magicmen – 15th minute – Powell Cucciella (Unassisted)
Inter AFC – 18th minute – Brian Walter (Unassisted)
Inter AFC – 28th minute – Saheed Lawal (Brian Walter)
Inter AFC – 31st minute – Saheed Lawal (Brian Walter)
Inter AFC – 35th minute – Brian Walter (Unassisted)
Inter AFC – 49th minute – Mike Walter (Saheed Lawal)
Inter AFC – 65th minute – Saheed Lawal (Brian Walter)
Magicmen – 80th minute – Andre Henciak (Unassisted)
Inter AFC – 85th minute – Brian Walter (Saheed Lawal)

MARYLAND BAYS 2:1 CHRISTOS FC (SEMIFINAL) – Feb. 27

The 8 p.m. game saw the Maryland Bays line up against Christos FC, who had knocked out USASA Open Cup regular and two-time US Open Cup participant Aegean Hawks FC two weeks ago.

It didn’t take long for Christos to open the scoring though as Danny Skelton scored in the 18th minute off a Joe DiPino pass after a nice build up. Minutes later, the score nearly doubled as the Bays conceded a penalty, but Michael Pennacchia put his penalty over the bar.

Maryland manager Bryan Bugarin would later say, “ was our wake up call.”

Indeed it was, as the Bays equalized just 13 minutes later when Jon Ports fed Marco Mangione in the 31st minute. The tie held until late in the second half as Mangione was fouled going to goal and converted his penalty kick in the 75th minute to make it 2-1 Bays.

Several cautions and an ejection (Christos FC defender Eric Mahon) followed as tempers flared on both sides, but the score would remain at 2-1 until the final whistle. With the win, the Maryland Bays advanced to the championship game which will be held on Sunday, March 20 at Cedar Lane Regional Park in Harford, Md.

“As a player, coach, or spectator you couldn’t have asked for a more evenly, quality played match,” said Michael Pennacchia of Christos FC after the match. “There was excellent skill, team defending, and overall heart on display with exceptional goals in the run of play from both sides. In the end, the difference ended up being that Marco was able to convert his penalty attempt where I was not. My hat goes off to Coach Bugarin and the Bays.”

Pennacchia added, “ are a quality group of players and assuming they advance, they will certainly represent the state of Maryland well in regional play.”

Christos FC Lineup: Steve King (GK), Eric Mahon, Joe Dipino (C Wilson-35′), Bissohong, V. Dipino, Muntz (Fendryk-80′), Michael Pennacchia (Tejada-75′), Leitch, Tyrie (Dwonzkowski-70′), Ankrah, Danny Skelton (Piscopo-65′)

Maryland Bays Lineup: Kristopher Ward (GK), Matty Beckman (BJ Quigley), Josh Taylor, Matt Shell, Phil Greatwich (Nino Mangione), Bryan Moffa, Chris Ports, Brian Barry (Mike Gill), Timmy Lane (Lucas Emil), Marco Mangione, Jon Ports

Scoring Summary:
Christos FC – 18th minute – Danny Skelton (Joe Dipino)
Maryland – 31st minute – Marco Mangione (Jon Ports)
Maryland – 75th minute – Marco Mangione (PK)

CHARM CITY FC 6:0 INTER AFC (QUARTERFINALS) – Mar. 6

On Sunday, the quarterfinals would finally wrap up with Charm City FC moving on with ease, 6-0, over a shorthanded Inter AFC. No calvary arrived this time for Inter AFC as the club played the match with nine men and were overwhelmed in the pouring rain.

The trio of Saheed Lawal and the Walter brothers, who all combined for seven goals and five assists in their 7-3 win over Magicmen in the opening round, were not at the game as Inter’s offense stuggled playing two men short.

Charm City didn’t waste any time with Lucas Pardew scoring the first goal three minutes into the match. In the 18th minute, Josh Robinson would set up Dan Ladar for the second goal. Just before halftime, the floodgates would open as Tarik Walker scored a pair of goals in the final five minutes of the half and Ken Suter would make it 5-0 just after the halftime break. Dan Delaney would score the sixth and final goal in the 53rd minute.

Charm City advanced to the semifinals where they will face the Baltimore Kickers, who beat AC Baltimore 1-0 in their first game. Charm City is aiming to qualify for the Region I tournament for the second year in a row. Last year, after getting an opening round bye when Athletic Club (West PA) forfeited, Charm City lost to United German Hungarians (East PA) in the quarterfinals, 3-1.

Scoring Summary:
Charm City – 3rd minute – Lucas Pardew (Unassisted)
Charm City – 18th minute – Dan Ladar (Josh Robinson)
Charm City – 40th minute – Tarik Walker (Unassisted)
Charm City – 43rd minute – Tarik Walker (Lucas Pardew)
Charm City – 46th minute – Ken Suter (Eric Breach)
Charm City – 53rd minute – Dan Delaney (Unassisted)

Chris Holden also contributed to this report